[Echographic study of thoracic lumps in 9 operated cases (author's transl)]

The authors report 9 cases of thoracic lumps investigated by echography in children and adults and operated later. The ulta-sonic study of intra-thoracic lumps is possible thanks to the echographic "windows" which are described; mediastinal and parenchymal lumps can thereby be investigated provided that they have a direct contact point with the chest wall. The echographic examination cannot reveal the histological nature of the lump but it is interesting in that in case of a liquid content it can assert its benignity, all with a technique simple and easy to use especially in children. The reliability of this examination seems good, the echostructure of the lesion being correctly defined in the 9 cases and in the 14 observations in the literature which are summed up.